A new era in cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia
SAMARKAND, November 19. /“Dunyo” IA/. On 17-18 November, Samarkand hosted events in the “Central Asia – European Union” format, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.
On November 17, a roundtable discussion was held on the new EU project aimed at developing sustainable energy in Central Asia, and a Youth Forum “Young Voices of Central Asia”.
On November 18, Samarkand EU – Central Asia Connectivity Conference “Global Gateway” took place.
The address of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the conference participants was read out by the Special Representative of the Head of state on Foreign Policy Issues Abdulaziz Kamilov.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted in his address that the complex and unpredictable geopolitical processes taking place in the world today, various conflicts, global political and economic instability, emerging modern challenges confirm the relevance of further enhancing mutually beneficial partnerships between regions and countries.
The Leader of Uzbekistan expressed confidence that climate change mitigation, transition to inclusive green growth, rational water use, environmental security will continue to be the priorities of our multilateral cooperation.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Teresa Czerwińska, OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid delivered speeches at the event.
At sessions full of discussions and debates, leading experts in digitalization, water and energy, transport, officials of ministries and agencies discussed ways to jointly solve problematic issues with the support of the European Union and other partner international financial institutions.
The conference continued with B2B meetings on “Prospects and further steps”, bilateral meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the countries of the region.
Following the conference, the Samarkand Declaration was adopted on the issues discussed at the plenary and breakout sessions.
At the briefing on the results of the conference, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell noted that the events were held at a high level with the active participation of the parties. He also stressed that the issues discussed and the agreements reached will mark the beginning of a new stage in relations between the European Union and Central Asia and will serve the further development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The events also included presentations and meetings of representatives of the private sector of the European Union and Central Asia.